Jonesboro Press Release 2017 Bandit Run

SMOKEY & THE BANDIT 40TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION TO BE HELD INJONESBORO, GEORGIA

JONESBORO, GA – 40 years ago, Smokey and the Bandit was the second largest grossing movie of 1977 – which most movie fans know. What many fans don’t know, is that the run that took Jerry Reed as the Snowman and Burt Reynolds as the Bandit from Atlanta to Texarkana, Texas and back again in 28 hours, was largely filmed in and around the city of Jonesboro, Georgia.

This June, the Bandit is coming back! To honor and celebrate the movie’s big milestone, Jonesboro is hosting the official 40th Year Anniversary Celebration. The City has partnered with the Burt Reynolds Institute, Restore a Muscle Car, The Bandit Run & the Snowman’s Run to Benefit Wounded Veterans to deliver THE biggest commemorative Smokey and the Bandit celebration over a two-day event, Friday, June 23rd and Saturday,June 24th.

As part of the celebration, the 11th annual Bandit Run, sponsored by Restore a Muscle Car of Lincoln, Nebraska, will be driving in from Texarkana with more than 250 cars– primarily Pontiac Trans Ams. Wednesday June 21st they will meet up in Franklin, Georgia with the Snowman’s Run coming in from Tallahassee, Florida. The entire group will then roll into Jonesboro about 3:30pmWednesday to kick off the 40th anniversary event.

The following is a list of other events that will take place in Jonesboro:

Friday, June 23, 2017 at 12:00 noon – Reenactment of Coors Scene in Downtown Jonesboro. Those Media personnel wishing to attend, must obtain credentials by contactingCity Hall at 770-478-3800. Those persons without credentials will not be allowed on the street.

Friday, June 23, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. – Question & Answer Session with Burt Reynolds and fellow cast member Susie Ewing who played Hot Pants Hilliard in the movie. The two cast mates have not seen each other since the movie’s premiere in 1977. (Lee Street Park)

Friday, June 23, 2017 at 9:00 p.m. – Official showing of the Smokey & the Bandit Movie on the lawn of Lee Street Park located at 155 Lee Street.

Jonesboro Mayor Joy Day said, “I’m excited about this event! What better way to commemorate such an amazing movie than with the star himself,Burt Reynolds.” For this festival, there are sponsorship and vendor opportunities available on a first come first serve basis. Those wishing to participate should contact events@jonesboroga.com. This event is forecasted to be one of the largest Smokey & the Bandit celebrations that Georgia has seen. Additional information can be found on www.jonesboroga.com or www.thebanditrun.com

Our Story

Restore a Muscle Car, LLC originated in 2005 as a shop that would bring back “classic muscle” but to a new level of restoration. We currently have a growing staff of over 15 full-time employees that work very hard each day on a variety of projects we have underway. Each member of our team has years of experience in their field which makes them more than qualified to handle the tasks they are faced with. We work together with our customers to create an enjoyable and exciting restoration experience they can pass along to their family and friends.